AU2018202659A1 - Trailer lining and cover - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A flexible lining for an open trailer with a tailgate, formed from a sheet of flexible waterproof material and having a floor panel, two side wall panels, a front panel and a tailgate panel; said lining being adapted to line the internal floor, walls and tailgate of said trailer. Figure 1 25

Description

TRAILER LINING AND COVER

Technical Field [0001 ] The invention relates to the field of flexible weather-proof covers for outdoor use. In particular, the invention relates to an improved weather-proof lining and cover for a car trailer.

Background of the Invention [0002] The trailer is a popular way to transport larger items or loads that do not fit inside standard size motor vehicles. The typical trailer is of relatively simple construction: an open tray with a front wall, two side walls and a rear tailgate, mounted on a frame that has one or two axles and two or four wheels. The frame is adapted to be towed by a motor vehicle with a tow bar.

[0003] An advantage of the trailer is that it is open, so objects of varying heights may be transported, provided they are secured sufficiently. It is common to use ancillary securing devices such as ropes, adjustable straps, elastic Occy’ straps and/or tarpaulins to secure and protect the load. For this reason, trailers often have an attached bar or rail running externally along each side wall to allow secure attachment of the rope or straps.

[0004] However, these types of securing arrangements are difficult to set up and easy to get wrong for the inexperienced user, leaving the load at risk of damage by movement, or even by falling out of the trailer, while in transit. These arrangements also require the carrying of an array of different securing materials.

[0005] One way of ameliorating these type of issues is to install a hard canopy over the trailer. However, these are limiting in the size and they tend to be heavy and expensive. They are also difficult to remove as they are usually affixed permanently to the trailer.

[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a cover for the contents of a trailer that ameliorates at least some of the problems associated with the prior art.

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Summary of the Invention [0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a flexible lining for an open trailer with a tailgate, formed from a sheet of flexible waterproof material and having a floor panel, two side wall panels, a front panel and a tailgate panel; said lining being adapted to line the internal floor, walls and tailgate of said trailer; and wherein said side panels are attached along one edge to an edge of the front panel; and wherein said tailgate panel is removably attachable to each of said side walls.

[0008] The flexible liner is easy to install and attach to e.g. a trailer side rail. It is also able to fold down into the trailer when not in use. It can also protect the contents of the trailer form wind, water and contamination (e.g. rust, dirt, road grime) that may be in the trailer bed. It can also assist in protecting the load from heat and UV radiation.

[0009] Conversely, it can protect the trailer bed and walls from whatever load may be being carried in the trailer. It may also makes cleaning the trailer easier - one can just shake or wash the residue out of the liner.

[0010] Preferably, the floor panel, wall panels, front panel and side panels are formed integrally from a single sheet of waterproof flexible material. This gives greater integrity and waterproof properties.

[0011] Preferably, a plurality of straps adapted to removably attach to said trailer by tying or clipping to the side of said trailer via a rail or other structure forming part of said trailer. This makes the attachment easier and quicker to make and is particularly a better solution for older user who may find tying ropes etc. too difficult.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the lining incorporates a cover panel that is removably attachable to the upper edge of the side wall panels and the front panel. Preferably, the cover panel is wider than the floor panel and incorporates a plurality of external attachment devices that are arranged along two lines parallel with each side of said cover panel, said lines being located apart from one another at a distance that is approximately the width of the trailer.

[0013] The cover may be formed from the same material as the lower part of the lining or another material. It is preferably waterproof to provide protection for the trailer load. It is also capable of covering taller loads, as its width allows it to cover those loads while remaining attached to the wall linings.

2018202659 17 Apr 2018 [0014] Advantageously, the external attachment devices are in the form of loops that are located adjacent to the straps described above, thereby allowing the cover to be strapped independently to said trailer. This feature allows the cover to be secured when the load is not of sufficient height to require the extra headroom provided by the cover, as it may tend to ‘flap’ in the wind if not secured. The location of the loops allows them to be secured by passing he straps through the loops before securing the straps to e.g. the trailer rail.

[0015] Now will be described, by way of a specific, non-limiting example, a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0016] Figure 1 is a photograph of a trailer liner according to the invention, shown laid unfolded on a flat surface.

[0017] Figure 2 is a photograph of a trailer liner according to the invention, shown laid partly folded on a flat surface.

[0018] Figure 3 is a photograph of a trailer liner according to the invention, shown laid folded in the bed of a trailer.

[0019] Figure 4 is a photograph of a trailer liner according to the invention, shown unfolded in the bed of a trailer.

[0020] Figure 5 is a photograph of part of a trailer liner according to the invention, showing the detail of the attachment of the straps to the rail of a trailer.

[0021] Figure 6 is a photograph of part of a trailer liner according to the invention, showing the detail of the strap that is used to attach the liner to the trailer.

[0022] Figure 7 is a photograph of part of a trailer liner according to the invention, showing the detail of the loops attached to the cover.

[0023] Figure 8 is a photograph of part of a trailer liner according to the invention, shown in a trailer bed and with the cover secured in a lower position.

[0024] Figure 9 is a photograph of a cover according to the invention.

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Detailed Description of the Invention [0025] The invention is embodied in a two-part lining and cover for a trailer. The two parts consist of a lining for the trailer bed and a removable cover, both made from a flexible waterproof material.

[0026] The following is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Turning to figure 1, there is shown the liner portion 5 of a trailer liner according to the invention. The liner is primarily for made from a sheet 10 of heavyduty PVC coated tarpaulin fabric manufactured in Australia, having a thickness of 680 gsm. There are four ‘flaps’ extending from the central sheet 10: two side walls (15, 20), a front wall 25 and a tailgate wall 30.

[0028] The adjacent edges of each side wall to the front wall (35, 40) are sewn together with heavy bonded UV-resistant nylon thread.

[0029] In this example, the PVC sheet is 2500mm wide and is designed for a trailer having a 7-foot by 5-foot bed. The wall ‘flaps’ are approximately 600mm in width to cater to a trailer wall height of 560mm. Other sizes are possible, dependent on the dimensions of the relevant trailer. For example, other contemplated trailer bed sizes include: 6-foot by 4-foot trailers; 6-foot by 5-foot trailers; 7-foot by 4-foot trailers. The wall flaps may also be adapted to fit trailer wall heights of 360mm by allowing for 400mm wall flaps.

[0030] At the rear end of the liner, the adjacent edges of the tailgate wall 30 and the side walls (15, 20) are zippered. The zippers used (45, 50) are size 10 coil, open ended type. This allows the tailgate flap to be closed as required by zipping up each side.

[0031] The outer/upper end of the tailgate wall 55 has a Velcro strip attached to it to allow closing against the cover sheet (not shown).

[0032] Turning to figure 2, there is shown the same liner 5 as per figure 1, but with the side walls (15, 20) folded inward to show the 10 fastening straps 60. These straps are made from 25mm polypropylene webbing with 25mm quick release clip parts 62 attached to the ends. In this embodiment there are four straps on each side and two each at the front and rear end. These are attached to the lining by short loops of the

2018202659 17 Apr 2018 polypropylene webbing 65 that are sewn onto the liner 5. This is shown in greater detail in figure 5 and 6.

[0033] Turning to figure 3, there is shown the liner 5 located in a trailer 70. The trailer side rails 75 are also shown.

[0034] Turning to figures 4, 5 and 6, there is shown the liner 5 of figure 3 in a trailer 70 in an unfolded operational state. The liner can be seen to cover the floor and walls of the trailer and can contain any load in the trailer. It can also be seen that the edges of the PVC comprising the liner 5 are bound via 25mm polypropylene webbing hems 80.

[0035] Also, around the edges of the liner are supplied with two open-end zippers 85 that run in either direction from the centre of the front wall along the top of the front wall, along the top of either of the side walls to the rear end of each side wall. The zippers are preferably size 10 open end coils.

[0036] The upper edge of the rear wall 90 features of the liner 5 has attached to it a 25mm strip of hook touch tape, such as Velcro.

[0037] These zippers complement, and are adapted to attach to, zippers attached to the periphery of the liner cover, and the touch tape likewise complements, and is adapted to attach to, touch tape that is attached to the rear edge of the cover.

[0038] Turning to figures 7 and 8, there is shown the liner cover 100 in place attached to the liner 5. The cover is made from the same material as the liner and has complementary zippers/touch tape as described above. It is typically made from a heavy-duty PVC tarpaulin fabric sheet (680 TS GSM, manufactured in Australia) having the same overall width and length as the liner - in essence, it provides a ‘mirror image’ of the liner.

[0039] The cover also features a series of loops 105 sewn onto its outer surface that are located along the length of the cover 100 adjacent to the straps 60 so that when the cover is folded downward (as shown), in the case that the load does not require the full height of the cover, the straps 60 can be passed through the loops 105 to secure the cover in a downward position. This helps to avoid the cover flapping about during transit.

2018202659 17 Apr 2018 [0040] The loops 105 on the cover 100 are preferably located equidistant from the centre of the cover, at a distance from the centre approximately equal to the distance from the centre of the trailer to the trailer walls, as this allows the optimum positioning of the loops for attachment to the straps 60.

[0041 ] Turning to figure 9, there is shown a cover 100 detached from the liner. The loops 105 are shown in position.

[0042] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above described embodiment is merely one example of how the inventive concept can be implemented. It will be understood that other embodiments may be conceived that, while differing in their detail, nevertheless fall within the same inventive concept and represent the same invention.

Claims (6)

1. A flexible lining for an open trailer with a tailgate, formed from a sheet of flexible waterproof material and having a floor panel, two side wall panels, a front panel and a tailgate panel; said lining being adapted to line the internal floor, walls and tailgate of said trailer; and wherein said side panels are attached along one edge to an edge on the front panel; and wherein said tailgate panel is removably attachable to each of said side walls.

2. The flexible lining of claim 1, wherein said floor panel, wall panels, front panel and side panels are formed integrally from a single sheet of waterproof flexible material.

3. The flexible lining of any preceding claim, said lining incorporating a plurality of straps adapted to removably attach to said trailer by attaching to the side of said trailer via a rail or other structure forming part of said trailer.

4. The flexible lining of any preceding claim, said lining further incorporating a cover panel that is removably attachable to the upper edge of the side wall panels and the front panel.

5. The flexible lining of claim 3, wherein the cover panel incorporates a plurality of external attachment devices that are arranged along two lines parallel with each side of said cover panel, said lines being located apart from one another at a distance that is approximately the width of the trailer.

6. The flexible lining of claim 4, wherein said external attachment devices are in the form of loops; and wherein said loops are located adjacent to the straps of claim 3, thereby allowing the cover to be strapped independently to said trailer.